Re: Question on Safety Net

[Revcarllin@aol.com]

6/1/99
   I am 75 years of age. I was a professional educator. At my peak earning 
years, I earned about $40 thousand annually. I was comfortably well fixed. I 
was generous with my money, contributing liberally to church and favorite 
charities and crusades. I also had a couple of divorces and the economic 
consequences of that continue to be felt.

   The point is, I am living at the poverty level WITH my social security 
check. I will take responsibility for the fact that I did not save and 
invest. But, contrast me with the several million low wage workers who never 
get above the poverty level. There are many reasons for this, not the least 
of which is that low skill and no skill jobs have disappeared. The only 
exception is the fast food industry.

   These people are good folks who should not have to be poor in their old 
age. The system should continue to provide for the redistribution of money to 
maintain a floor for the lowest earners.